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> 04/12/2006 Residents protest casinos, lack of time (Ed Goppelt webmaster @ hallwatch.org)
04/12/2006 Residents protest casinos, lack of time (Ed Goppelt webmaster @ hallwatch.org)
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Residents Paul Kimport, Sarah Thorp & Jeremy Beaudry
2006/04/12 In an unsual display of citizen concern and anger, about 25-30 young Fishtowners engaged in call and response with a succession of speakers and waved signs to protest the what they say is the inadequate time they have recieved to consider the casinos' plans for their neighborhood.
The demonstration took place outside during yesterday's lunch break in hearings held by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Apart from some chanting by union members just prior to the lunch break, it was the only whiff of civil disobedience during the three days of public hearings.
A former Navy pilot and veteran of the Iraq war, Thorp flew the E-2C Hawkeye off of aircraft carriers. Kimport co-owns the Standard Tap, where residents brainstormed about how to get their message out.
Read related story.
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Anne Dicker, Candidate for State Representative in the 175th
2006/04/12 Anne Dicker is running for state representative of the 175th district which includes Fishtown and other river wards.
Dicker appears to have found some traction on the casino issue. She and her communications director Hannah Miller spent most of the public hearings buttonholing residents.
In a press release, Dicker has called on the state gaming board to "extend the licensing period for a year until the impact of multiple casinos can be studied."
"I see something being born," said Miller. "The community is gaining a sense of cohesion becuase of the external threat. I think a lot of people will fight really hard."
Dicker faces an uphill battle for the seat vacated by Rep. Marie Lederer who is retiring. She is running against two opponents each backed by one of Philadelphia's political bosses. Michael O'Brien, a former chief-of-staff to Rep. Marie Lederer, is backed by Head Electrician John Dougherty. Senator Vince Fumo is said to back Terry Graboyes, who owns a successful window company.
Miller describes Dicker as the only independent democrat and points to her credentials working for Howard Dean and on behalf of abortion rights. Dicker has been endorsed by civic leader Vern Anastasio from Bella Vista and lawyer Pete Fiorentino, a former opponent.
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Organizer Jethro Heiko
2006/04/12 According to wikipedia, Heiko is a 33 year old organizer who has worked on a number of national and regional issues. He appears to work for a sort of progressive public relations firm, actionmill.com. According to its web site
"the Action Mill creates non-violent direct actions, events, websites, products and other tools for progressive organizations, grassroots groups and campaigns."
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Resident Daniel Derrah
2006/04/12 Derrah lives in Fishtown.
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Businessowner William Reed
2006/04/12 William Reed is a co-owner of the Standard Tap, a bar that has emerged as a social and political hub for young Fishtowners. As a young man, Reed worked for the casinos in Atlantic City. He described the casinos, and slot parlors in particular, as "soul deadening."
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2006/04/12
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NLNA President Matt Ruben
2006/04/12 Ruben is President of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association. Read his testimony before the Gaming Board.
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Residents Simon Dicker & Lisa Stachler
2006/04/12
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Campaign Aide Hannah Miller
2006/04/12 Miller serves as Anne Dicker's Director of Communications.
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Anti-Gambling Activist Bill Kearney
2006/04/12 Kearney describes himself as a former compulsive gambling degenerate. More info.
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Men in black
2006/04/12
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